Date Night #7: Perfect Night for a Pint and a Pie

Winter seems to have arrived early here in Seattle. No snow, but tonight’s temperature was a slightly nippy 40 degrees. Now I like cool weather, but the sudden chill in the air sent Mike and me in search of toasty comfort for our date this evening.

We didn’t have to venture too far afield. Just up the street – 14 blocks to be exact – is a little place called Prost! As you would expect, it has beer: Spaten, Bitburger, Vetltins, Franziskaner, Maisel’s, Kostritzer, and a rotating German tap. Some wine and liquor as well, but beer is clearly the thing here.

And German munchies. Meat heavy, to be sure, with brats and sauerkraut all over the menu. The servings are restrained, so you don’t walk out of there feeling like you totally pigged out. My regular brat and kraut came with a couple of rye toast points and a small mustard selection. Mike declared his curry wurst to be the best he’s had outside of Berlin. And the pretzel! It was like going home to my Pennsylvania roots – huge, hot, and crusty. Not at all like those chewy, salty, clammy hunks of dough masquerading as soft pretzels at the local sports venues. I must say that it was kind of appropriate that the Philadelphia Eagles were playing football on TV during our meal.

Prost! Is a cozy spot to hang out for longer than we actually did. Because we were sated yet not stuffed, we followed through with our tentative plan to try the new pie place that is literally around the corner from our Seattle bed & breakfast. Called á la mode, this little corner store serves up slices, mini pies, whole pies, and lollipies (think about it, you’ll get it) – ice cream optional.

Mike tried the pie that started it all, according to Chris, the owner: the Blue Hawaiian. Blueberry, crushed pineapple, and coconut. He wasn’t expecting to like it as much as he did, which was a ton. “Original and great,” he says; it spoke to his inner Elvis. I’m more of a pie traditionalist, so I went for the sour cherry. And I didn’t go wrong. Sweet and sour at the same time, with a fabulous dry and crunchy crust. That both Mike and I liked the coffee as well ensures that we will return probably too many times for our own good. In fact I’m quite worried because I pass this place both coming and going on my daily run.